It is only one of the first tasks for Warwick’s new £1.3m super computer Minerva, which replaces predecessor Francesca. It will analyse the natural properties of the tiny mollusc shell made up of only one mineral: calcium carbonate, yet in combination with other enzymes and proteins, gives it remarkable properties in terms of strength, while remaining incredibly light.

Warwick’s Minerva with 3,000 cores is four times the size of its predecessor says Professor Mark Rodger, (left) director for the Centre for Scientific Computing.

Half of the £1.3m cost came from the University. The other half was provided by a grant to support the MHD (magnetohydrodynamics) Consortium, which deals with fusion, space and astrophysics. This UK-based consortium project has created three super computers to advance research in the flow of magnetic fluids.

Professor Tony Arber, (right) Department of Physics is working on solar MHD simulations  and will use the super computer for his research into what goes on within the sun. He is focusing on the magnetic interactions between particles and the flow of magnetic fluids.

By modelling the process of the mollusc construction on the computer, researchers are hoping to guide future development of materials which replicate these natural properties in a synthetic format. It could revolutionise building materials in the future and even improve synthetic bone substitutes for use in operations such as hip replacements.

“This computer is capable of running highly complicated models and analysis in a fraction of the time other computers would take. So now, what used to take a week to run, we can obtain overnight. This has a huge benefit in terms of cost and time and will be incredibly valuable to the service Warwick can offer its academics and industry," said Professor Rodger.